Love's Autograph (33 page)

“
Well, okay,” Ellie said. “How do I pick one?”

“
Pick one that you're drawn to,” Tara said.

Ellie watched the puppies play. Then she sat down. The puppies continued to play with each other. One puppy slowly crawled over to Ellie and laid her head on her leg.

“This one,” Ellie said. Ellie paid Tara and Tara gave Ellie her contact information in case she had any questions.

“
I can't believe I sold a puppy to EJ Way,” Tara said. “Can I tell people that I sold a puppy to EJ Way?”

“
Sure,” Ellie answered.

Maggie held the puppy all the way to the pet store. Maggie had already researched items they had to buy for the dog. They brought the puppy home and sequestered her to the living room at the pet store employee
’s suggestion. Maggie watched the puppy as she sniffed around the floor and couch.

“
What are you going to name her?” Maggie asked.

“
I don't know,” Ellie said.

“
You don't know?” Maggie asked.

“
You can name her,” Ellie said.

“
I can?” Maggie asked. Maggie then opened her tablet again and searched dog names. Ellie picked up her guitar and played around. Every once and awhile Maggie would yell names out. “Stevie?”

“
It's a girl,” Ellie said.

“
Oh right,” Maggie said.

“
Sunshine,” Maggie said.

“
Sure.”

“
No,” Maggie said. “It says here that it should be two syllables with the E sound at the end.”

After hours of research and deliberation, Maggie had a name.

“Remi,” Maggie announced.

“
Remi, I like it,” Ellie said. “How did you come up with that?”

“
Ria, Ellie, and Maggie with an E sound at the end. REMI.”

“
Sounds great,” Ellie said.
Great, the thing that is supposed to make me feel less lonely is named after the thing making me most lonely.

Ellie brought Maggie back to Boston. Remi accompanied them. Remi had taken to bonding with Maggie and spent every night, and the whole ride
lying on Maggie. Maggie fell asleep for part of the ride but kept her arm around Remi.

I can't get enough of looking at them cuddling together. It
’s so sweet.

Ria met them at the studio. Remi was sleeping but groggily lifted her head up and then clumsily galloped across the lobby to greet Ria.

“Who's this?” Ria asked as she squatted down to pet Remi. Remi jumped up, put her front paws on Ria’s thigh and licked Ria's face. Ellie looked on as her new puppy easily fell in love with Ria.

She looks so cute with Remi. Nothing like a puppy and a gorgeous woman to melt my heart.

Remi excitedly pawed and jumped at her. Ria picked up Remi. Ria had a red winter hat pulled over her long black wavy hair. She had on what appeared to be a snowboarding winter jacket. Ellie caught herself staring and quickly averted her eyes.

“
This is Ellie's new companion,” Maggie said.

“
You got a dog?” Ria asked.

“
Maggie got me a dog,” Ellie said.

“
What? How? She doesn't have any money,” Ria said.

“
It was the thought that counted,” Maggie protested.

“
She found the dog for sale, and navigated me there as a surprise,” Ellie said.

“
Only cost $780,” Maggie said.

“
Maggie you can't just—” Ria said in protest.

“
It was sweet wasn't it,” Ellie interrupted. Ria looked at Ellie and Ellie mouthed that it was okay.

“
Yeah, so she is not lonely,” Maggie said.

“
Did Ellie say she was lonely?” Ria asked.

“
No, but—” Maggie started.

“
Remember what we said about assuming what others were feeling,” Ria said.

“
I like the company” Ellie said. “She was correct this time. It's great. I think I'll adore having Remi around.”

“
Are you sure? That's a lot of money,” Ria started. “And not to mention a commitment.”

“
I'm rich and I don't have a problem with commitment,” Ellie shot back and locked eyes with Ria's brown eyes.

“
Well, okay,” Ria said. “Maggie why don't you go put your stuff in the car. I'll be out in a minute.”

“
Okay, Ellie have fun with Remi,” Maggie said as she gave Ellie a hug. “Should we tell her why I named her Remi?”

“
It's fine with me. You named her,” Ellie said.

“
I'll tell her in the car. Okay, Mom?” Maggie said and Ria nodded. Maggie walked out the door, and Ellie and Ria stood in the lobby.

“
How did it go?” Ria asked. “Really go?”

“
Amazing, she has been one of the highlights of this whole year,” Ellie said.

“
You’re wonderful. You're the greatest thing for her,” Ria said.

“
No, she is. She's amazing to be around. Look, she got me this gorgeous puppy. She has the biggest heart I've ever known and...” Ellie said.

“
I miss you,” Ria said.

“
Yeah?” Ellie said. “Okay.” Ellie's heart jumped and then restrained itself and started to turn cold.

“
I... we should go out sometime when you’re in town,” Ria said.

“
Maybe,” Ellie said. “I’m not out very often, and when I am, I'm pretty busy,” Ellie said.

“
Okay, well think about it. Or call me. You can stay at our place, anytime you want.”

“
To be honest, it's hard for me to be around you,” Ellie blurted out. “As hard as it is to say that. It’s extremely difficult for me. I can and want to hang with Maggie, but that's all I have to give right now.”

Ria said,
“Okay, fair enough. If you, if you ever want to...”

“
Yup, got it,” Ellie said. Ria turned and walked out the door. Ellie's chest tightened and her heart shattered as if it were the first time Ria had walked away from her.

“
So, you gone out on any dates?” Dina asked.

“
You kidding me? She hasn't realized other women exist since meeting Ria,” Jazzie answered. “I've dropped several hints that I'm interested and...”

“
Shut up Jazzie,” Ellie said as she lightly pushed her shoulder. “I told you that you were too much to handle. Anyway, I don't think Brianna would like you talking like that.”

“
Ahh, Brianna,” Jazzie whispered and put her hand over her heart.

“
Oh sick, I think I see little hearts and Cupid over your head,” Dina said. “Do we have to do ‘Operation Get Ellie a Date?’”

“
No, I don't want to date, sleep with or see anybody,” Ellie said.

“
Isn't Northampton close to where you live?” Dina asked.

“
Twenty minutes,” Ellie answered.

“
Well, there you go, that's like Lesbian Land or something. You can find someone there,” Dina said.

“
It’s not like finding another pair of sneakers,” Ellie said. “You see your life laid out before you. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, graduations and then it's all gone. I'm not ready.”

“
You think she was the one?” Dina asked.

“
Hell yes,” Jazzie said. “I don't always see that look that I saw in Ellie when she was with Ria.”

“
Jazzie you have to know that Dina doesn't believe in
the one
,” Ellie said. “That's why she said it sarcastically.”

“
What are you going to do Ellie?” Dina said. “I like the in-love Ellie more than the sad-and-slightly-pathetic Ellie.”

“
It's all about you, huh?” Ellie said.

“
Sometimes,” Dina said. “Well, she's done with you and you with her...”

“
She isn't done with me,” Ellie said. “I think she wants to get back together.”

“
You done with her?” Jazzie asked.

“
Yes, well no,” Ellie said. “Okay I'm still so in love with her, but I'm afraid of getting kicked in the teeth again. She's so unpredictable. I'm not sure if she feels the same way or as deeply as I do.”

“
Well, we're here in your beautiful studio sulking and wondering if she loves you. Meanwhile she's doing doctor things and hitting on nurses at Boston Memorial,” Dina said.

“
Boston General “ Ellie said.

“
Well, this is getting me so depressed you guys are going to make me go off my diet and eat a pizza or two,” Jazzie said as she ate another forkful of brown rice.

“
I can't believe you eat that bland crap,” Dina said.

“
Yeah, why are you on a diet anyway? You look great,” Ellie said.

“
Well, diabetes runs in my family. Also, my cholesterol is high,” Jazzie said. “And I have Brianna and all the stars I meet to think about. They all look like they live in a gym, kind of like you.” Jazzie motioned to Dina.

“
Dina hasn't been in a gym since high school,” Ellie said. “And that was only to look at the cute boys.”

“
I eat whatever I want and don't have to run or anything,” Dina said. “One of my blessings.”

“
Makes me hate your skinny, white ass,” Jazzie laughed. “Here I'm eating vegetables, rice, and drinking water. You just eat bacon, sausage, eggs, chocolate...”

“
Okay now I'm hungry,” Ellie said.

“
Well, I'm done doing the Ellie pity hour,” Dina said as she threw her briefcase over her shoulder. “You and Remi have a safe drive back to Nowheresville and don't forget our Boston Benefit next weekend. We're doing interviews and everything. Get your set list to me ASAP and...”

“
Send me an email or something,” Ellie said. “I won't remember all this.”

“
You're impossible,” Dina said as she gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Later Jazzie, enjoy your kale.”

Ellie arrived back in Boston that next week for the Boston Benefit. It was a benefit concert for the fifth anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings. Davie and Dina accompanied her to the venue.

Jazzie was driving her to the arena, “I miss being a driver sometimes.”

“
Yeah, glad you could drive tonight,” Ellie answered.

“
You know the show is sold out,” Jazzie said.

“
Yes it is,” Davie said. “I'm so psyched that you're one of the main headliners.”

“
Your fans are coming out of the woodwork for this concert. Some from as far as Ohio and North Carolina,” Jazzie called back to them.

“
How do you know that?” Dina asked.

“
Her fan pages,” Jazzie said. “You learn a lot there. They are all wondering if Jenny will show up and what kind of music you'll play. You thinking of playing new stuff or old stuff?”

“
A mix,” Ellie said as she saw a crowd of fans had already formed at the venue and it was five hours before the show.

“
Miss this?” Davie asked.

“
A little,” Ellie smiled as her bodyguard Clara opened the door and helped escort the trio backstage.

Several hour
s later, Ellie stepped onto the stage. The same rush hit her. There was the familiar feel of the roar of the ground, the bass of the speakers pounding her chest, the sweat from the hundreds of lights, and the sound of the screaming fans. Before she knew, it the show was over. Ellie walked backstage.

“
Great job,” Jazzie said to Ellie as she met her backstage. “You still got it!”

“
Was there ever a doubt?” Davie asked. “Let's go celebrate. I have reservations at the Gravity Room...”

“
Well,” Dina said as she locked eyes with Jazzie. “Ellie and Jazzie are going to take one car. You and I'll take another car. She can meet us there.”

“
But there is plenty of room,” Davie said.

“
There are some errands that the two of them have to run,” Dina said as she nodded at Jazzie.

“
We do?” Ellie asked.

“
I was hoping you could do some promotional things quickly with me on some of the nonprofit projects I'm running,” Jazzie put her hands together as if she was begging.